My wife and I, both retired teachers, have lived in the Hudson Valley since 1968. One of our sons is retiring from the Army after serving his country for the past 21 years. During these years, he was deployed more than five times to Afghanistan and Iraq. For most of his military career he has served his country as a commissioned officer in the intelligence service.

It both saddens and angers me that President Trump has gone on record making disparaging statements toward the various intelligence agencies that many military men and women proudly served. I am further disheartened that this president is charting a course that undermines what made America a nation that was both respected and envied.

Xenophobia is replacing the cherished value of cultural diversity. The existential threat of climate change substantiated by countless scientific studies is viewed with skepticism and even scorn. Those differing with this administration’s proposed policies are, in public, ridiculed and belittled. What is most frightening is the way President Trump and his spokespeople espouse “alternate truths” to rationalize blatant administration lies.

I would urge each one of us to contact our Congressional representatives, both Democrat and Republican, and demand that they do not “tread lightly” when reacting to President Trump’s mendacity. History teaches us that nations suffer disastrous consequences when those in power can alter or deny the truth without consequences.

We, the people, our elected representatives, and the responsible media have a serious responsibility to hold accountable a self-deluding president who creates an alternate reality to satisfy his own ego needs.